Hundreds of generals and admirals from around the world were summoned to an unusual meeting at the Marine Corps Museum in Quantico, Virginia, where Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accused “toxic leaders” of weakening the U.S. military by lowering standards and turning the Pentagon into the “woke department.”
Hegseth outlined 10 new directives aimed at restoring the military’s traditional warrior ethos. The measures include tougher physical fitness requirements, stricter grooming standards and a return to “the highest male standard” for combat roles. He sharply criticized overweight personnel in leadership positions, saying, “It’s completely unacceptable to see fat generals and admirals in the halls of the Pentagon and leading commands around the world. It’s a bad look.”
“To ensure peace, we must prepare for war. From this moment forward, the only mission of the newly restored Department of War is this: war fighting, preparing for war and preparing to win, unrelenting and uncompromising in that pursuit,” Hegseth explained.
President Trump also addressed the gathering, declaring, “Together, we’re reawakening the warrior spirit.” The president announced a $1 trillion military funding commitment for 2026. Neither he nor Hegseth addressed the looming government shutdown, which will delay pay for active-duty troops even as they continue to report for duty.
